Jump Off

When a scary thought first works its way into your brain, you have a choice. You can camp out on that thought in your mind, like my Two-Mama says not to do. Or you can deal with it right away to keep it from becoming bigger and scarier than it already is.

I’ll guarantee you, if you camp out on a fearful thought long enough, the next thing you know you’ll have another fearful thought, then another, then another. And before you know it, you’ll have a first-class ticket on the crazy train. I’m going to tell you what the crazy train is later in this chapter, but to help set it up, I first want to mention something that makes the crazy train possible. It’s an old acronym for fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. You can read about it in the next section.

HERE’S A QUESTION:

How do you respond physically to fear? Wouldn’t it be nice if that didn’t happen anymore?

HERE’S A CHALLENGE:

Probably the very best Bible verse there is about the mind is Philippians 4:8: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (nlt). My challenge to you right now is to memorize this verse. Then whenever you have a fearful thought, remember these words and ask yourself, “Does this thought fall into one of these categories?” If the answer is no, stop thinking it and think about something that does.

HERE’S SOME ENCOURAGEMENT:

You don’t have to be afraid. You can stop fear where it starts—in your mind. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN PRAY: God, help me to take captive every thought in my mind that is not of You and silence the whispers of the enemy in my ears. I choose to fill my mind with thoughts that are pleasing to You.

I actually have Philippians 4:8 posted on sheets of paper posted around the room area of where I reside, thanks for the reminder. Because come to think of it, I haven’t even paid much attention at all to this lately. And I bet that if I did I would be less focused on the chaos of the world. I would be more focused not on what people are doing wrong and their sin, but how can I get them saved. What can I do to bring the Good News in a way that is appealing and loving and compassionate? Like the saying goes you catch more flies with honey. So, I want to make it my goal from this day forward to love those that I don’t agree with, not to get into personal feelings about what they may or may not be doing, Not to be offensive, but to point them to Jesus and then let Jesus change them…–NJ..

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.Colossians 1:10 NLT

Thank you I needed some encouragement and Philippians 4:8 is what I needed to be reminded of, so perfect for my struggle walk with JESUS! I’m doing ok though I know he got my back and JESUS is such a gangster when it comes to love and guidance ???

I just bought live fearless and I’m about to start reading it for more encouragement and studying God’s word, I know I won’t be disappointed and I can’t wait!

Thank you soooo much for being such a godly influence to me and so many others you are truly a blessing and I just know god is so pleased with all y’all!

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.Colossians 1:10 NLT

Thank you I needed some encouragement and Philippians 4:8 is what I needed to be reminded of, so perfect for my struggle walk with JESUS! I’m doing ok though I know he got my back and JESUS is such a gangster when it comes to love and guidance ???

I just bought live fearless and I’m about to start reading it for more encouragement and studying God’s word, I know I won’t be disappointed and I can’t wait!

Thank you soooo much for being such a godly influence to me and so many others you are truly a blessing and I just know god is so pleased with all y’all!